Anne Lopes MichielsenEmerging translator Portuguese into Dutch

‘Within the work itself, a translator has to be as invisible as possible, but outside it the opposite is true. We perform a key role in cultural exchange, and we must continue to draw attention to that.’

Anne Lopes Michielsen (1989) wants to dedicate herself to the dissemination of Portuguese literature translated in Dutch. As a literary translator she wants to give authors from this wide language area a Dutch voice. Anne also actively seeks to improve the visibility of translators. Aside from translating books and short stories, she works part-time at the Centre of Expertise for Literary Translation, is involved in the Association of Emerging Translators, is an editor at PLUK, de oogst van nieuwe vertalers – a literary magazine especially for emerging translators and organizes workshops and courses for literary translators.

Anne studied Language and Culture Studies, majoring in Modern Art and Philosophy of the Arts, and Portuguese Language and Culture at the universities of Utrecht (The Netherlands) and Coimbra (Portugal). This allowed her interests to run wild: from art history to literature, from cooking to philosophy, from language to culture. In 2014 she completed a Research Master in Literary Translation and that same year Anne received a Talent Scholarship from the Dutch Foundation of Literature.

‘Every written work is an expression of the culture in which it originates. This is reflected in the described scenery or customs, but sometimes this cultural influence is hidden in the smallest details. Therein lies the greatest challenge for me.’ANNE LOPES MICHIELSEN continues: ‘As a translator, you’re always part of a European context. When you’re in a bookshop you look at where a book comes from, more so than the average reader: you try to figure out whether a book is an original Dutch work or whether it was translated. As for myself, I habitually turn to the copyright page to check the name of the translator. Within the work itself, a translator has to be as invisible as possible, but outside it the opposite is true. We perform a key role in cultural exchange, and we must continue to draw attention to that.’